UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – March 14, 2013 – Encore telecasts of NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” have finished #1 in total viewers versus CBS's rebroadcasts of "Late Show with David Letterman" and ABC's mostly original "Jimmy Kimmel Live" for the week of March 4-8. In adult 18-49 rating, the "Tonight" encores outscored "Late Show" and tied "Kimmel," while in viewers 18-49, "Tonight" finished within 4 percent of the mostly original "Kimmels."

At 12:35 a.m. ET, encores of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" averaged a 0.4 rating in 18-49 and 1.3 million viewers overall and out-delivered ABC's original "Nightline" in their head-to-head half-hour from 12:30-1 a.m. ET in 18-49 viewers by a margin of 12 percent (517,000 adults 18-49 vs. 462,000).

Jay has now delivered bigger 18-49 audiences than "Late Show" for the last 16 weeks in a row and topped "Kimmel" for seven of their nine head-to-head weeks. In total viewers, Jay has out-delivered "Late Show" for 20 weeks in a row and "Kimmel" for nine of nine weeks.

Jimmy Fallon has now generated bigger 18-49 audiences than "Late Late Show" for 21 of the last 22 weeks and prevailed in total viewers for 18 of the last 20 weeks. Versus "Nightline" in their head-to-head half-hour, Jimmy has out-delivered the ABC series for nine weeks in a row in viewers 18-49 and five of the last six weeks in total viewers.

WEEKLY AVERAGES

(According to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research for the week of March 4-8. Ratings reflect “live plus same day” data from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”)

Leno could not have handled his first half hour more masterfully tonight. One well-placed joke in the middle of the monologue to show he isn’t being pushed around, otherwise just did his job with a lot of vigor.

Avoided any hint of the self-involvement, martyr complex, vindictiveness that would have spewed from many of his fellow hosts. Whether he can keep this up remains to be seen, but if he can he will do himself a massive favor.

Brad

The potential timetable for the change — sometime in the next 18 months — has been tied to Mr. Leno’s current contract, which ends in fall 2014, as well as the need to sign Mr. Fallon to a new deal.

Another complicating factor has been Mr. Leno’s success in the ratings.

In recent weeks, he has continued to finish first — always in the category of total viewers and usually among viewers ages 18 to 49, the most sought-after group for late-night advertisers.

As one of the executives involved in the planning of the shift to Mr. Fallon put it: “And then Jay manages to stay ahead of Kimmel. How often has that guy been underestimated?” – Bill Carter

Brad

“Booking is tougher in NYC, odd move putting the Tonight Show (back) in NYC.”

I agree jcfreder. Having two late night shows competing for guests at the same time is going to be tough.

I’m just shocked that NBC just upped and left Kimmel as the only 11:35 talk show in LA. They let him win the booking battle. That’s really something. It is currently crowded in LA with 9 late night shows in the West and 5 late night show in the East (including SNL).

I do find it weird that The Roots wouldn’t want to leave for LA. I’ve been to both LA and NY and LA wins hands down. Sunshine every day not a good enough reason? Yeah you may have friends and family in the Philadelphia and New York area, but its LA. Some people I’ll never understand.

Brad

I give Fallon this. He is doing everything he can to NOT end up like Conan. He is learning everything about the 2010 Tonight Show Conflict and how to avoid a 2014/15 version of that.

– Do not move to LA. Stay in NY.
– Do not change producers. Keep Lorne Michaels.
– Do not go for any contract. Go for a nice, long-term contract.
– And hopefully lots and lots of time slot protection. LOTS!

This whole move is exactly why I believe Conan should have taken the Midnight spot. I initially didn’t think Leno would stay for long after the 2010 debacle. I thought NBC was just keeping Leno on board simply because a $100+ million payout was too much to handle, so it would be best to get Leno on the compromise of doing the Jay Leno show at 11:35pm for a half hour while Conan takes an hour long show starting at midnight. I wonder if Conan regrets that decision because, as Bill Carter stated in his recent article, several members of Team Coco still haven’t gotten over that.

Oh well. Things may have ended up very different if that happened. Maybe Leno and Nightline have too strong of a rivalry that ABC wouldn’t have moved Kimmel until the next move forward with The Tonight Show. I don’t know. I’m going to stop guessing on what could have been. All I know is Conan should’ve taken that Midnight job if he really wanted to be on broadcast. At least he’s on TV, getting to do a show HE wants to do. At least he has that.

By the way, TBS signed Conan through April 2014. NBC has Leno signed through 2014. Leno is extended through 2014. If Conan’s ratings really are that bad maybe its time for TBS to cut Coco. Just saying Leno may, just may go out with a long late night career, specifically a long post-2010 career in late night.

Adam Stabelli

Yeah. Jay’s monologue was great tonight. Well paced-jokes and he handled it like a true professional.

Brad

This isn’t Jay’s first time to the rodeo.

anonymous

The Hollywood Reporter — It has become clear that Jimmy Fallon is going to become the host of “The Tonight Show,” but sources say an internal debate among key players is under way regarding the timing.

According to these sources, some top executives at NBCUniversal are leaning toward a February launch to take advantage of the promotional platform of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Others, including “Late Night” executive producer Lorne Michaels, are said to have concerns about rushing the transition.